However, her expression turned peculiar as she realized that she was not observing them from the sky, but rather from the ground.
To her astonishment, this assembly of royal half orcs was running along the earth.
Only one eagle soared in the air, while the others dashed furiously across the terrain.
Bayou spotted several half orcs exhibiting traits of dogs, lions, leopards, horses, and various other animals, evoking the sensation of wandering through a zoo.
Additionally, there were some half orcs devoid of any overt beastly attributes.
As she drew nearer, Bayou discerned that these royal half orcs had chosen to run because it was swifter than flying.
They remained entirely oblivious to Bayou's stealthy pursuit from sky, including the eagle.
Thus, they continued their journey towards the northwest, departing the extreme northern lands.
Upon reaching a mountain peak, dense foliage enveloped the area, and countless small creatures thrived within the mountain.
Bayou followed the halfworks into the mountain, arriving at a hidden cave nestled halfway up the slope, guarded by several halfworks.
"My lord, you have returned.
" The halfworks on either side respectfully saluted the eagle.
"Prepare the teleportation array.
We must return to the empire, the eagle coldly commanded, evidently still furious from the expedition in the extreme north.
With that, the eagle led the half orcs into the cave.
Bayou boldly approached from behind, and even the royal eagle could not detect her invisibility enhanced by spatial magic, let alone the two commanding half orcs at the entrance.
As she brushed past them, a flash of white light flickered in her left eye, and she definitely employed mental magic to control them before stepping into the cave.
It was time to take action.
Upon entering, the interior space appeared far more expansive than it seemed from the outside, and the array of facilities was quite comprehensive.
It was evident that this served as a hidden stronghold of the Halfforc Empire.
The eagle sat at the innermost central position surrounded by other half orcs who are currently engaged in an irate discussion about how to deal with the ice field white tiger clan.
Why doesn't te the higher authority simply eradicate them? A lion queried perplexed as to why they were repeatedly sent for negotiations.
Fool, do you think the lords have nothing better to do? They must resist the pressures from various factions, utterly swamped with responsibilities.
Moreover, living races will always hold more value than the deceased," the dog retorted, seizing the opportunity to assert itself before the eagle.
The eagle shot a glare at the lion while the dog proudly lifted its head, reveling in its moment of triumph.
However, at that instant, as the dog bass in its self-satisfaction, the lion's pupils suddenly constricted.
A red line appeared around the dog sneck, and its grin abruptly stiffened.
Thud! The dog's head fell to the ground, leaving the assembled half orcs in stunned silence.
The eagle sensed something a miss and rose to its feet.
Its sharp talons aimed directly at the entrance of the cave.
Bang! An invisible barrier manifested, effortlessly thwarting the eagle's assault.
Instantly, a transparent ring expanded rapidly, sweeping across the entire area.
In an instant, every half were present, save for the eagle, was cleaved in two.
With a resounding roar, flames erupted within the cave, transforming the surroundings into a sea of fire.
Bay revealed herself, a smile gracing her features as she regarded the eagle.
She was unperturbed by the presence of the halfforc, for she could summon the undead with a mere thought.
"Who are you?" the eagle demanded, its gaze fixed intently upon the human.
You shall not have the chance to find out by you replied with that.
Her right eye emanated a crimson glow while several distinct magical circles materialized in parallel around her form.
In that moment, a surge of elemental forces began to swirl, intertwining various spells that surged forth toward her opponent.
Chapter 388.
Successful interception.
Boom.
A kaleidoscope of radiant light engulfed the entrance, instantly reducing everything within the Halfwork stronghold to rubble.
An invisible protective shield manifested around by you, shielding her from the swirling dust and debris.
A powerful gust swept through, dispersing the airborne particles in an instant.
Bang! The eagle emerged from the ruins, appearing somewhat disheveled, but largely unscathed.
As Bayu's earlier strike had merely been a probing attack with wings unfurled, its soared into the sky, its true domain, its keen gaze fixated on by you below, recognizing her as a formidable human mage.
In a fleeting moment, its mind conjured numerous possibilities.
Why would a human mage appear here? Could there be trouble above? However, there was no time for contemplation.
As by US assault followed in swift succession, the eagle, its eyes brimming with fury, rapidly flapped its wings, unleashing a barrage of feathers that transformed into a thousand flying daggers, clashing against Bayou's magic.
Simultaneously, the eagle's body contracted, resembling a released arrow aimed directly at Bayou.
It understood that the frail physique of human mages could be swiftly overcome if it could close the distance.
Countless feathers shattered by you's magic midair and surged towards her.
Yet just as they were about to pierce her, they inexplicably halted half a meter away, unable to advance further.
It was as if an invisible barrier encased by you, nullifying the eagle's assault.
This strange phenomenon evoked a sense of DJVU in the eagle, though it could not immediately recall the source.
As the eagle descended, Bayou's figure vanished in an instant.
The eagle's pupils dilated, and as it neared the ground, it adjusted its trajectory to ascend, spiraling in the sky in search of its opponent.
No matter how intently it searched, Bayou remained elusive, her presence undetectable, suspended in midair.
The eagle-es expression turned grave.
Could it be that she feared a close encounter or doubted her ability to defeat it? Just then, a realization struck the eagle.
No.
From the very beginning, her intent was to eliminate it.
How could she flee? If she wouldn't tear retreat, then there was but one possibility.
She would launch a surprise attack.
Yet, by the time the eagle grasped this, it was too late.
A brilliant white light appeared above, severing its left wing.
Had it not shifted slightly moments before, that strike would have cleaved it in two.
As the white light dissipated, an intense pain rendered the eagle unervingly calm.
It finally recognized the source of its familiarity.
The opponent was wielding spatial magic as well.
The eagle quickly distanced itself, but Bayou's presence remained elusive.
It dawned on the eagle that she possessed an invisibility ability undetectable even by it.
Although it could still fly with a severed wing, the aerial advantage that had once belonged to it had now vanished entirely.
The eagle recognized its folly.
It had prematurely assumed that a mage's physique would inherently be frail, focusing solely on one type of magic and believed that mere proximity would secure its victory.
In truth, many mages practice dual or even triple disciplines.
With some capable of mastering four, rendering them nearly devoid of weaknesses.
Empowered by certain artifacts and spells, such mages can even possess formidable melee capabilities.
No wonder my father had cautioned me against underestimating these spellcasters.
However, by the time this realization dawned upon the eagle, it was too late.
The loss of its wings signified a drastically diminished chance of escape.
The eagle unleashed its domain, summoning a tempest that whipped the surroundings into a frenzy, crafting a windscape.
Its pupils constricted into narrow slits as it heightened its senses, scanning the vicinity.
It intended to utilize the currents of air to ascertain its adversar's precise location.
Only then could it mount a counterattack.
Sensing the eagle strategy by you emerged from her concealment, revealing her form.
The eagle and by you locked gazes.
There seems to be a misunderstanding on your part regarding our association.
The eagle mused, believing that the human race had uncovered its clandestine maneuvers and dispatched a mage to obliterate their stronghold as a warning.
Yet Bayou paid no heed to the eagle.
Without uttering a word, she raised her hand, conjuring a colossal purple magical array, brewing a highle spell.
Uncertain whether the true powers of the Halfforc Empire would catch wind of their activities, she prudently wielded elemental magic throughout, even refraining from employing her scythe.
If she were to disguise herself, she needed to do so convincingly.
Otherwise, she could have summoned the reaper sgardians to eliminate this halfforc without lifting a finger.
A massive purple lightning dragon materialized in response to the eagle.
The eagle's expression soured.
Its opponent was unccommunicative, a fact that weighed heavily on its mind.
As one of the signs of the five great chieftains of the Halfwork Empire, every action it took reflected the empire's demeanor.